Write of the Valkyries

Thor in Norse Lore Zeus: A Short Biography

Write of the Valkyries

In Germanic mythology, there exist magnificent female beings that are associated with battle, fate and death – particularly of warriors killed in combat. While the Anglo-Saxon wælcyrie were sorceresses or female spirits of carnage, the Old Norse term valkyrjur translates as “choosers of the slain” and the legendary poems and sagas detail their roles.

“Helgi and Sigrun” by Johannes Gehrts

Characters in Celtic lore such as the war goddesses Baðβ (Badb) and Mororïganïs (Morrigan) also reflect certain aspects of the valkyrjur, unsurprising given that the cultures sometimes overlapped.

More than twenty valkyrjur are listed in the Eddas -though it is argued that only twelve served ant any given time – with names which often describe their appearance or traits. These include Gunnr (War), Göndul (Wand-wielder), Mist (Cloud) and Randgrið (Shield-truce), though the most famous may arguably be Brynhildr (popularized in German culture as Brünhilda) from the legends of Sigurðr (Sigurd, or Siegfried in German). Some of the fabled tales refer to the valkyrjur as being daughters of kings and lovers of heroic mortals, while others focus on their supernatural and shamanistic abilities of shaping the destiny of men. The maidens were also said to bear mead to the Einherjar at Valhöll, and attended the funeral of the God Baldr (Baldur), suggesting that their purpose in Old Norse traditions was varied.While valkyries are often depicted nowadays as beautiful maidens with noble agendas, it only tells part of the story with regards to the Norse valkyrjur. Valkyrjur were servants of Óðinn (Odin) who weaved their magic to determine the outcome of a battle, and in doing so “chose” who lived and who perished. They were described as burning bright with spears and shields, clad in helmets and armor, and riding horses across the sky. The warriors deemed to have died a glorious and honorable death were selected and carried by these women into the realm of the gods; half went with them to Óðinn in Valhöll (Valhalla) while the other half were sent to Freıə (Freyja) at Fólkvangr (Folkvang). At Valhöll, the deceased would become einherjar: soldiers of Óðinn who prepared each day for the events of Ragnarök.

In Axtelera Ray:

Lethal female fighters loyal to the Palace of Valhalla, the Valkyries are the Royal Guard whose sworn duty is to protect the Allfather and his family. They are carefully selected and trained at Fólkvang, Vanaheim, and differ from the Einherjar as their division is gender specific and their duty never lies beyond Valhalla. Valkyries are rarely seen, but their golden Dragonleather armor and winged helmets are easily recognizable. They are led by Commander Bjarg, an intelligent woman with a reputation for strategy and sarcasm.

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